1. #6 – 8 Universal Principles for Natural Church Growth
Mike Mazzalongo

2. Copying “systems” from growing churches rarely works

4. Growing Churches (regardless of type or location) all share 8 specific qualities at a high level.

5. Model: Based on “systems” used in various churches
Models vs. principles
Model: Based on “systems” used in various churches
Principle: Something that applies to every church

6. The point…
We should apply the principles and develop the characteristics of successful churches, not copy the models.

7. Quality characteristics
Not simply a characteristic but a “Qualified” characteristic.
IE. Not just a skater…
a figure skater.

8. Quality Characteristic #1
Empowering Leadership

9. Example
A leader visits members…
An empowering leader brings a member along to train them in visitation.

10. Research also showed…
More formal Theological training had a negative effect on church growth.

11. Research also showed…
A positive relationship exists between the willingness of leaders to receive training from outside their congregation.

12. Quality Characteristic #2
Gift Oriented Ministry

13. Helping Christians identify and use their gifts contributes to church growth more than any other ministry.

14. Quality Characteristic #3
Passionate Spirituality

15. True spirituality requires that we not only get the “forms” right - we also have to get our “lives” right with Christ.

16. Quality Characteristic #4
Functional Structures

17. Biblical Structure (Organization) for ministry works best.

18. Acts 2:1-47 - N.T. Structure for Ministry
Evangelism - Acts 2:1-41
Education - Acts 2:42
Fellowship - Acts 2:42
Worship - Acts 2:42
Service - Acts 2:43-46

19. When all ministries are working properly and simultaneously the Lord adds to the church.
Acts 2:47

20. Quality Characteristic #5
Inspiring Worship Services

21. Changing your “style” of worship will not impact your growth in one way or another.

22. The Holy Spirit draws (inspires) worshippers to God on the Lord’s Day, when worshippers draw closer to God throughout the week.

23. Quality Characteristic #6
Holistic Small Groups

24. “Holistic” small groups are designed to help members use their gifts; share their lives; minister to one another; pray and support each other – not just eat together

25. “…There is an enormous difference between church leaders discussing evangelism, loving relationships, or gift oriented ministry in its staff meetings, and having Christians integrated into a small group…

26. “…and go through a process in which he or she actually experiences the meaning of these things in real terms within the confines of the group.”
- C. Schwartz Natural Church Development, Page 33

27. Quality Characteristic #7
Need Oriented Evangelism

28. Not everyone has a gift for evangelism but each person has 8- 9 natural contacts.

29. Key to Successful Evangelism
Identify & Equip the Gifted
Concentrate on Natural Contacts

30. Quality Characteristic #8
Loving Relationships

31. A God of Love is worshipped by a church of Love

32. But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
- I Timothy 1:5

33. People enter the church by the gospel.
People stay in the church because of love.

34. All Growing churches have:
Empowering Leadership
Gift oriented ministry
Passionate Spirituality
Fundamental Structures
Inspiring Worship
Holistic Small Groups
Need Oriented Evangelism
Loving Relationships